Electric switch.



Patented Nov. 28. I899.

F. A. MERBICK. ELECTRIC SWITCH. (Applicatioh filed Sept. 24, 1898.) (No Model.)

FRANK A. MERRIOK, OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STEEL MOTOR COMPANY, OF OHIO.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,199, dated November 28, 18 99.

Application filed September 24, 1898. Serial No. 691,781. (No model.)

To aZZ 1071,0777, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. MERRIOK, of Johnstown, in the county of Oambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

IO This invention relates to electric switches of the class usually employed on electric railways and known as canopy-switches.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved form of switch which will be so I 5 constructed and arranged that in an emergency it is capable of breaking with certainty an excessively large volume of current of high potential. Switches of this character are not often used to break the circuit when current 20 is passing, but when so used it is generally because of some accident to other apparatus, and it therefore becomes of the utmost importance to open the circuit quickly and effectually.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, durable, and readily-adj usted device for this purpose.

My invention therefore consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts efiecting this purpose, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the annexed drawings,in which like symbols indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch embodying my inven- 3 5 tion. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1.

A is a box inclosing the switch proper.

Bis a central shaft, to which is attached the movable parts of the switch proper. This shaft extends upwardly from the casing, as shown.

0 A handle E is mounted to rotate about a bearing B, concentric with the shaft B and formed as a part of the inclosing casing A.

Surrounding the upper end of shaft B is a torsion-spring G. The lower shank of this spring is rigidly secured by enteringa perforation b in the handle E. A circular cap F surrounds this spring and is secured to the shaftB by a pin 6, passing through opening a. A plurality of perforations d, similar to the one in the handle E, are formed in the top of this cap. Either of these may engage the upper shank of the spring G, so that when the spring becomes weaker in service its strength may readily be adjusted.

To the shaft B are secured two arms placed at right angles to each other and carrying at each of their outer extremities contact-shoes D, adapted to engage with the terminals H when shaft B is rotated. Between the upper and lower contact-arms O a plate or disk S, of insulatingmaterial, is secured, and this effectually prevents any are from forming between the upper and lower portions of the switch.

In order to provide a stop for the switch when in the off position, a plate-spring g is secured at one end to the top of the casing. On the shank j of the handle E is a projection Z, which bears on the free end of this metal strip, and the handle E is thus retained firmly in the 03 position.

The operation of the device is as follows: By moving the handle E, and with it the shank e of spring G, the latter will be wound, the tension of the spring being-insufficient to overcome the friction between the contactsurfaces. As soon now as the shank j of the handle E reaches one of the lugsfon the cap F the cap is turned, rotating shaftB and forcing the contact-shoes D from the terminals H. The torsion of the spring G now comes into play and moves the contact-arms instantly to the off position, suddenly and positively breaking the circuit at four separate places. The current through the switch is from one binding-post to one of the contacts H, thence through one of the arms 0 to the contact H diametrically opposite the first-named contact, thence by a suitable electrical connection to a third contact, thence through the other arm O to the contact opposite the last- 0 named con tact, and then to the other binding; post.

I have not deemed it necessary to show the circuit connections in detail, as they are of simple character and are readily apparent.

I have shown the specific construction which I prefer, but I do not desire to limit myself thereto. For example, the arrangement of the handle, spring, and cap is a convenient one to add to the outside of any-canopy-switch 10o even though the details of the switch proper varied considerably.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in acanopy-switch, of a switch-shaft, a plurality of arms on said shaft, contacts carried by the said arms, an operating-handle having a perforation movable independently of said shaft, a cap with lugs adapt-ed to be engaged by said handle, said cap having a perforation, and a torsionspring having vertical shanks, secured in the perforations in said cap and handle.

2. In a canopy-switch,in combination,a casing, a switch-shaft rotatable in said casing, a pair of arms carrying contact-shoes at each end, a cap surrounding and secured to said shaft, a torsion-spring within said cap, an operating-lever movable independently of the shaft and arranged to operate the same only in certain positions, and connections between the torsion-spring and the lever and cap.

3. In a canopy-switch, the combination of an operating-handle disconnected from the switch-shaft having a perforation for the reception of a torsion-spring, a torsion-spring secured at one end in said perforation, a cap having lugs to be engaged by said handle, said cap having a plurality of perforations in its upper surface, either of which is adapted to receive the other end of said torsion-spring, and suitable means for securing said cap to the switch-shaft.

4. In a canopy-switch, the combination of switch-shaft B, operating-handle E disconnected from the said shaft, cap F having lugs f, and torsion-spring Gr secured to handle E and cap F, substantially as described.

5. In a canopy-switch, an inclosing casing, a switch-shaft rotatable in and extending upwardly from the same, an operating-handle, mounted on a part of the casing concentric With the said switch-shaft, a cap secured to the switch-shaft above said handle, downwardly-projectinglugs on said cap, a torsionspring within the cap, a perforation in the handle adapted to receive one end of the spring, and another perforation in the cap adapted to receive the other end thereof.

6. In a canopy-switch, an inclosing casing, a switch-shaft rotatable in and extending upwardly from the same, an operating-handle, mounted on a part of the casing concentric with the said switch-shaft, a cap secured to the switch-shaft above said handle, downwardly-projecting lugs on said cap, a torsionspring within the said cap, a perforation in said handle, to receive one end of the spring, and a plurality of perforations in the cap, either of which is adapted to receive the other end of the spring.

7. In a switch of the class described,the combination with a plurality of fixed contacts, of a rotary shaft having secured thereto a plurality of contacts for engagement with the fixed contacts, a handle mounted to move independently of said shaft, means for effecting an operative connection between the handle and the said shaft in certain positions of the handle, and aspring for rotating said shaft having a connection at one end with said handle and at its opposite end to the shaft.

In testimony whereof I have affixed mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK A. MERRIOK.

Witnesses:

MYRTLE E. SHARPE, H. W. SMITH. 

